Interbike's director of advocacy, Mike Greehan, has left Interbike to focus his efforts on his company, Cue Ball Media. Lance Camisasca, Interbike's show director, who has worked together with Greehan and guided Interbike's advocacy program, will assume Interbike's day-to-day advocacy efforts.
“Mike was so much more than a guy that worked on bicycle advocacy for Interbike,” Camisasca said. “We could not have asked for more when it came to Mike's efforts to help us understand, participate and lead important industry advocacy issues. Mike has decided to pursue his role with Cue Ball Media, as his business partner has been patiently waiting for him to go full time for several years now. Today, thanks to Mike, I am capable of grabbing hold of the Interbike advocacy tiller.”
Greehan joined Interbike in 1999 to help with its advocacy efforts while also working as partner and COO of Cue Ball Media, which specializes in international media development. As Interbike became more involved in advocacy, it began to require more of Greehan's time. He was one of the founding directors of Bikes Belong (and will remain a director after leaving Interbike), sits on the board of the League of American Bicyclists and was a member of the League's Bicycle Friendly Communities Advisory Group.
“Seven years ago, the bike industry was beginning to work together cooperatively in bicycle advocacy,” said Mike Greehan. “It seems obvious now that advocacy could be helpful to the bike industry, but at the time, it took some real foresight to support such a new effort. I'm very appreciative that Interbike had that foresight and allowed me the chance to help with that effort.”
Greehan was the publisher of Bicycling Magazine from 1994 to 1999, during which time the magazine was a finalist for two National Magazine Awards. As publisher, he became involved in bicycle advocacy when invited by Peter Heumann and the California Bicycle Coalition to participate in a meeting at the inaugural Southern California Bicycle Expo.
“Congress wouldn't dare pass a transportation bill anymore without bicycle and pedestrian facilities,” said Greehan. “It has taken a lot of time and effort by many people throughout the industry to get to that point, and there is still more to do. I loved working for Interbike, but my original two-year, gentleman's agreement with Interbike turned into a fulfilling seven-year effort. Cue Ball Media is growing and I now need to fulfill my responsibilities to my Cue Ball business partner. Interbike's advocacy effort is in great hands with Lance and it's the perfect time to move on.”
